the bullet journal life; things to love

I took a break from my bullet journal for almost two months, and it was the best thing I could have done for myself.

One of the greatest things about bullet journalling, in my opinion, is that you aren’t constrained by fixed pages. You can tailor it for yourself. You can skip a week, or a month, or a year, to try and figure out what works for you and what doesn’t and then you can come back to it. Or not.

In the end, it is all up to you.

Can it be a lot of pressure? Sure. But that’s why you step away for a little bit.

Bullet journalling had become more of a forced habit, almost a chore, for me. I still enjoyed it, but something wasn’t working, so I skipped the months of May and June, and focused on my family and myself, and now I feel like I know what I need in my journal to enjoy it again.

I’ve still got to draw out my pages for the month, but I have a layout idea, ideas for new pages (lunch ideas! dinner plans! room ideas!) and a calmer and less stressed outlook at life.

Hopefully it lasts a while, because I miss it.

Here’s a short list of things to love about the bullet journal:

• You have complete control over it. If something isn’t working for you? Take it out! Need a break? Take one! Want to draw for five pages in a stretch? Go for it!
• It is completely unique to you. It is personal and no two bullet journals are the same. Even if you’re taking inspiration off of other people’s ideas, even if you are printing pages of the Internet to use – at the end of the day, it is a reflection of you, and no one else.
• You don’t have to buy planners every year anymore. I mean, sure, some planners are gorgeous and beckon invitingly when you look at them too long, but they can be so rigid and unflexible, and you can draw out your bullet journal in your steadily growing notebook pile and finally make it smaller. (Or am I the only one with too many notebooks and not enough reasons to use them?)
• You have an excuse to buy lots of coloured pens and stickers and stencils and – wait, I should not be encouraging this, should I?

The main thing is that it is yours to do with what you will. No one can tell you you’re doing it wrong because there is no wrong way to  do it! How often can we say that about anything?

If you’re thinking about starting a journal, remember, you can do it anytime! You don’t have to wait for the start of the school year, or the new year. Just pick up a notebook, and start!

It’s fun, I swear.